Groundwater sampling pump

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a sampling pump configured for use in a wellbore for pumping liquid collecting in the wellbore. The sampling pump has a pump component including a motor and an outer housing configured to be inserted into the well bore. The outer housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fluid sensor detects when the inlet of the outer housing is positioned in the liquid in the wellbore. A flexible electrical cable assembly supplies power to the motor and the fluid sensor, and also communicates with the motor and the fluid sensor. A user control panel communicates with the flexible electrical cable and enables a user to control on and off operation of the DC motor from the control panel. The user control panel also has a component which is responsive to signals from the fluid sensor to indicate when the inlet is at least partially submerged in the liquid within the wellbore, as the pump is lowered into the wellbore.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/100,904, filed Jun. 1, 2016; which is a U.S.national phase of PCT/US2014/068371, filed Dec. 3, 2014 and published inEnglish as WO2015/084957 on Jun. 11, 2015; which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/911,273, filed Dec. 3, 2013. Theentire disclosure of each of the above applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to groundwater sampling pumps and pumpcontrol systems therefor, used to collect water samples from groundwaterfed wells.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Groundwater sample pump systems are known which use DC motors to pumpeffluent from a well upward to ground level where a sample is drawn foroff-site analysis. Known systems use a full speed pump and a throttledevice at a discharge location to reduce discharge flow for collectingthe sample. A disadvantage of known systems is that the throttle devicereduces volume flow rate, but locally increases the flow velocity,making collection of a small volume sample difficult. In addition, powerconsumption of known groundwater sample pump systems can range from 20up to 40 Amperes, and commonly requires a high current AC power sourcewith an AC/DC converter to provide DC power for pump motor operation,which is both heavy and expensive. An AC power source is often notavailable at remote well sites, therefore the operator must bring aseparate source of AC power. Also, known sampling systems use acentrifugal pump which at operating speed (12,000 to 15,000 rpm) resultsin cavitation at the impeller when the flow rate is reduced downstreamby the sample throttle device.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a sampling pumpconfigured for use in a wellbore for pumping liquid collecting in thewellbore. The sampling pump may comprise a pump component including amotor and an outer housing configured to be inserted into the well bore.The outer housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fluid sensor is alsoconfigured to detect when the inlet of the outer housing is positionedin the liquid in the wellbore. A flexible electrical cable assembly isincluded for supplying power to the motor and the fluid sensor, and alsofor communicating with the motor and the fluid sensor. A user controlpanel is included which is in communication with the flexible electricalcable and configured to enable a user to control on and off operation ofthe DC motor from the control panel. The user control panel furtherincludes a component responsive to signals from the fluid sensor toindicate when the inlet is at least partially submerged in the liquidwithin the wellbore, as the pump is lowered into the wellbore.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a sampling pumpconfigured for use in a wellbore for pumping liquid collecting in thewellbore. The sampling pump may comprise a frame and a pump component.The pump component may include a motor and an outer housing configuredto be inserted into the well bore. The outer housing may have an inletand an outlet. A fluid sensor may be included on the pump componentwhich is configured to detect when the outer housing is positioned influid in the wellbore. A flexible electrical cable assembly is coupledat one end to the pump component for supplying power to the motor andthe fluid sensor of the pump component, and also for communicating withthe motor and the fluid sensor, the flexible electrical cable and thepump component. A reel is supported from the frame for rotationalmovement and is operable to support the flexible electrical cableassembly thereon. A user control panel is included which is incommunication with the flexible electrical cable and configured toenable a user to control on and off operation of the DC motor from theuser control panel. The user control panel further may include acomponent responsive to signals from the fluid sensor to indicate whenthe pump is at least partially submerged in the liquid within thewellbore, as the pump is lowered into the wellbore. The control panelmay also include a speed control component for controlling a speed ofthe motor, and thus a liquid flow rate produced by the pump component.

In still another aspect the present disclosure relates to a samplingpump configured for use in a wellbore for pumping liquid collecting inthe wellbore. The sampling pump may comprise a frame and a pumpcomponent. The pump component may include a motor and an outer housingconfigured to be inserted into the well bore. The outer housing may havean inlet and an outlet. A fluid sensor may be included which isconfigured to detect when the outer housing is positioned in fluid inthe wellbore. A flexible electrical cable assembly may also be includedwhich is coupled at one end to the pump component for supplying power tothe motor and the fluid sensor of the pump component, and also forcommunicating with the motor and the fluid sensor, the flexibleelectrical cable and the pump component. A reel is supported from theframe for rotational movement and is operable to support the flexibleelectrical cable assembly thereon. A user control panel may be includedwhich is in communication with the flexible electrical cable andconfigured to enable a user to control on and off operation of the DCmotor from the user control panel. The user control panel may becentrally located within the reel and may include a component responsiveto signals from the fluid sensor to provide a first visual indicationwhen the lower end of the housing of the pump component is located inair within the wellbore, and a second visual indication when the lowerend of the housing becomes at least partially submerged in the liquidwithin the wellbore during lowering of the pump component into thewellbore. The control panel may further include a speed controlcomponent for controlling a speed of the motor, and thus a liquid flowrate produced by the pump component. The user control panel controls themotor during operation of the sampling pump so that the motor isautomatically turned off when the fluid sensor detects that it is nolonger submerged in fluid.

In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a sampling pumpassembly including a pump outer housing having an inlet end cap withmultiple water inlet ports. The inlet end cap is connected to the pumpouter housing using bayonet pins extending through L-shaped slots in afirst housing connector. An outlet end cap is connected to the pumpouter housing using bayonet pins and has a tubing connector forreleasably connecting an effluent tube thereto. A pump is included whichhas a regenerative impeller connected to a brushless DC motor. Thebrushless DC motor is positioned within the pump outer housing and theregenerative impeller is positioned within the inlet end cap. Thebrushless DC motor may operate at approximately 8,000 rpm providing alift of at least up to about 150 feet, and possibly higher. A sensorextends beyond the outlet end cap and provides a sensing signal when thepump assembly becomes submerged below a water surface in a wellbore inwhich the pump outer housing is positioned. A reel assembly is includedwhich has a rotatable support reel for supporting a flexible cableassembly for supplying DC power to the brushless DC motor. The flexiblecable assembly is able to be wound onto the rotatable support reel. Atleast one internal battery is carried by the reel assembly whichprovides electrical power for the sensor. An LED is provided with thereel assembly and is configured to flash continuously as the samplingpump assembly is lowered into a wellbore and prior to the sensorcontacting water. The LED changes to a continuously illuminatedcondition when the pump assembly extends below a water level surface inthe wellbore. Multiple distance marks are created on the flexible cableassembly to enable a user to determine a depth that the pump outerhousing is positioned within the wellbore.

According to several additional aspects, a sampling pump assemblyincludes a pump outer housing having a housing inlet end releasablyconnected thereto. The housing inlet end includes multiple water inletports and is connected to the pump outer housing using one or morebayonet pins radially extending through one or more L-shaped slotscreated in a first housing connector. At an opposite end of the pumpouter housing from the housing inlet end is an inlet end cap which issimilarly connected using one or more bayonet pins received in anL-shaped slot of a second housing connector. The inlet end cap receivesa tubing connector for releasably connecting an effluent tube. A sensorextends beyond the inlet end cap and provides a sensing function for theperiod when sampling pump assembly is operated and submerged below awater volume surface.

In various other aspects of the present disclosure the sampling pumpassembly is readied to be lowered into a well, a first switch, locatedon a control panel of the reel, is switched from an “off” to an “on”position. An internal battery provided within the reel providessufficient electrical power for operation of the sensor as the samplingpump assembly is lowered. An LED also present on the control panelflashes continuously as the sampling pump assembly is lowered into thewell and prior to sensor contacting a water volume within the well. Asthe sampling pump assembly enters the water volume and extends below awater level surface, water contacts the sensor, which creates anelectrical signal indicating that the entire sampling pump assembly ispositioned below the water level surface. At this time, the LED changesfrom a continuous flashing condition to a continuous energized “on”condition. The “on” condition of the LED visually indicates to theoperator that the sampling pump assembly is fully submerged within thewater volume.

After the LED changes to the continuous “on” condition, the samplingpump assembly is drawn upward until the LED changes back to thecontinuous flashing operation, at which time a plurality of distancemarks provide a depth indicated in 1 foot incremental positions alongthe outer casing of a cable assembly identifying depth in feet of theposition of the sampling pump assembly within the well. The samplingpump assembly is lowered back into the well until the LED changes againto the continuous “on” condition. An external source of 12 VDCelectrical power is then connected to the reel and the operator switchesa second switch from an “off” to an “on” position, which startsoperation of the DC motor.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a groundwater sampling pump of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevational view taken at section 3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a front elevational view of an impeller housing assembly of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional front elevational view taken at section 5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the impeller housing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of an impeller retention member of thehousing assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 a front perspective view of a groundwater sampling pump and reelassembly of the present disclosure including the groundwater samplingpump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional front elevational view of thegroundwater sampling system mounted to a well pipe;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a control panel provided on areel of the groundwater sampling system;

FIG. 11 is a graph of flow rate versus well depth for the groundwatersampling system of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of a control system for the groundwatersampling pump of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a pump control system portion for thegroundwater sampling pump of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a groundwatersampling pump in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view of a portion of the pump assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15a is an enlarged view of the circled portion in FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional side view of the bayonet pins engagedwithin their respective slots and compressing a gasket to achieve awatertight seal within the pump housing;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional side view of an annular, replaceable motorshaft seal that is used in the pump assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a first surface of an impeller retainer usedin the pump assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the impeller retainer of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a second surface (i.e., opposing surface) ofthe impeller retainer of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a first surface of an impeller housing used inthe pump assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the impeller housing shown in FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a second surface (i.e., opposing surface) ofthe impeller housing of FIG. 21.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a sampling pump assembly 10 includes a pump outerhousing 12 having a housing inlet end 14 releasably connected thereto.The housing inlet end 14 includes multiple water inlet ports 16. Thehousing inlet end 14 is connected to the pump outer housing 12 using oneor more bayonet pins 18 radially extending through an L-shaped slot 20created in a first housing connector 22. The housing inlet end 14 isoriented such that the bayonet pin 18 is received in the L-shaped slot,and the housing inlet end 14 is axially rotated to releasably lock thehousing inlet end 14 in position. At an opposite end of the pump outerhousing 12 from the housing inlet end 14 is an outlet end cap 24 whichis similarly connected using one or more bayonet pins 26 received in anL-shaped slot 28 of a second housing connector 30. The outlet end cap 24receives a tubing connector 32 for releasably connecting an effluenttube shown and described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 9. Asensor 34 extends beyond the outlet end cap 24 and provides a sensingfunction for the period when sampling pump assembly 10 is operated andsubmerged below a water volume surface, as described in greater detailin reference to FIG. 9. According to several aspects, the sampling pumpassembly components such as the pump outer housing 12, the housing inletend 14, and the outlet end cap 24 can be constructed of a metalmaterial, such as stainless steel. Other materials can also be used.

Referring to FIG. 2 and again to FIG. 1, the tubing connector 32communicates with a discharge chamber 36 where water pumped by thesampling pump assembly 10 is received for discharge. A conduit connector38 is also provided which provides the ability to both receive and sealconduits providing electric power as well as control signals to theoperating components of sampling pump assembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 3 and again to FIGS. 1-2, a conduit 39 is shown in anexemplary position retained by the conduit connector 38. The conduit 39provides electrical power, as previously noted, for operating thecomponents of sampling pump assembly 10. The housing inlet end 14provides an inlet chamber 40 proximate to a housing inlet end wall 14 a.A filter 42, such as a metal or plastic screen, is releasably connectedto an inlet end wall 44 which defines a boundary wall for the inletchamber 40 opposite to the housing inlet end wall 14 a. Water flowinginto the inlet chamber 40, via the water inlet ports 16, passes throughthe filter 42 and enters an impeller chamber 46. The inlet end wall 44defines a portion of housing inlet end 14 which is sealed against aninner perimeter wall of pump outer housing 12 at the time the bayonetpins 18 are engaged, using one or more seal members 48 such as O-rings.A pump element in the form of a “regenerative” impeller 50, positionedwithin impeller chamber 46, is held in rotational position using animpeller retainer 52. A connecting member 54 extends partially throughand positively rotatably engages impeller 50. The connecting member 54extends through a motor shaft seal 55 to allow for fluid sealed rotationof impeller 50. Impeller 50 is connected to and rotated by operation ofa brushless DC motor 56 having a motor shaft 57 extending into andconnected with the connecting member 54. The motor shaft seal 55prevents water within impeller chamber 46 from entering a sealedenclosure having DC motor 56 contained therein. A circuit board 58, aswell as DC motor 56, are positioned within a watertight cavity 60provided by a pump inner housing 62 which is slidably received withinthe pump outer housing 12. The components of the circuit board 58 may bepotted to hermetically seal them. Additionally, a plurality ofelectrically conductive metal pins 61 may project from the circuit board58 into the space between the motor 56 and the edge of the circuit board58 to detect if water is present in this space. The metal pins 61 sensethe presence of water by detecting when a conductive path between themhas been formed.

The brushless DC motor 56 using regenerative impeller 50 can operate atlower speed (approximately 8,000 rpm) than known pump systems. Thisprovides the necessary lift while minimizing pump cavitation.

A flow passage 64 is circumferentially created between a tubular shapedouter perimeter wall of the pump inner housing 62 and an inner wall ofthe tubular shaped pump outer housing 12. Fluid discharged by operationof the impeller 50 passes through the flow passage 64 in a flowdirection “A” to be subsequently discharged from the sampling pumpassembly 10. As the impeller 50 is rotated by operation of DC motor 56,fluid drawn through the impeller 50 from the impeller chamber 46 isradially outwardly discharged into an impeller outlet region 66 whichcommunicates with the flow passage 64.

After the water flows from the impeller outlet region 66 and through theflow passage 64, the water flow enters one or more collecting ports 68and further flows through a discharge port 70 created in a pump top endmember 72. The pump top end member 72 is received within the outlet endcap 24 and is provided with a plurality of end member seals 74, such asO-rings, to provide a fluid seal between pump top end member 72 and aninner wall of the pump inner housing 62. The end member seals 74therefore prevent water within either the collecting ports 68 ordischarge port 70 from entering the watertight cavity 60. After flowingthrough the discharge port 70, the pumped water enters the dischargechamber 36. The tubing connector 32 is releasably coupled to the pumptop end member 72 using connector threads 76 such that a discharge bore78 of the tubing connector 32 is coaxially aligned with dischargechamber 36. All of the water pumped by rotation of impeller 50 thereforedischarges from discharge chamber 36 via discharge bore 78. Similar tothe tubing connector 32, the conduit connector 38 is threadablyconnected to the pump top end member 72 using conduit connector threads80. According to several aspects, there are two diametrically opposedones of the bayonet pins 18 provided as bayonet pins 18, 18′ and twodiametrically opposed ones of the bayonet pins 26 provided as bayonetpins 26, 26′. The quantity of bayonet pins can vary at the discretion ofthe manufacturer.

Referring to FIG. 4 and again to FIG. 3, an impeller assembly 82includes the impeller retainer 52 partially extending from an impellerhousing 84. The impeller housing 84 can be fixed about its circumferenceto the pump outer housing 12, for example by welding.

Referring to FIG. 5 and again to FIG. 4, the impeller assembly 82provides the impeller housing 84, which includes a housing flange 86extending radially outward from the impeller housing 84 to provide alocation for fixing the impeller housing 84 to the pump outer housing12. A housing cylinder wall 88 is cylindrical in shape and includes botha first counterbore 90 and a second counterbore 92 created therein. Theimpeller 50 is rotatably positioned within the first counterbore 90, andthe impeller retainer 52 is non-rotatably received in the secondcounterbore 92. The first counterbore 90 has a smaller diameter than adiameter of the second counterbore 92 such that the impeller retainer 52overlaps the impeller 50. A clearance “B” is provided between an outerperimeter wall of the impeller 50 and the inner wall defined by thefirst counterbore 90. Clearance “B” allows for a water film to becontinuously provided between the impeller 50 and the housing cylinderwall 88, thereby minimizing friction as the impeller 50 rotates. Aconnecting member slot 94 is centrally created through the impeller 50which receives and engages the connecting member 54 extending from themotor shaft 57, thereby providing positive engagement for rotation ofimpeller 50. A seal ring slot 96 is provided proximate to the connectingmember slot 94 to provide for a seal between the connecting member 54and the impeller housing 84.

The impeller housing 84 is provided with a discharge opening 98 throughwhich the water displaced by rotation of impeller 50 is received. Thedischarge opening 98 is in communication with a semicircular shapeddischarge channel 100 which is created as a recess on a housing innerface 101 of impeller housing 84. The discharge channel 100 is in fluidcommunication with multiple impeller flow passages 102 extending throughimpeller 50. The housing inner face 101 is spaced from an impellerdischarge side 104 of impeller 50 also by a fluid layer, minimizingfriction as the impeller 50 rotates. On an opposite side of impeller 50from the impeller discharge side 104 is an impeller supply side 106. Asemicircular shaped supply channel 107 is created as a recess in aretainer face 108 of the impeller retainer 52. Multiple impeller vanes109, positioned within the impeller flow passages 102, direct waterwhich is provided through semicircular supply channel 107 into thesemicircular discharge channel 100. The semicircular supply channel 107is created in a retainer first portion 110 which as previously noted isreceived within the second counterbore 92 of housing cylinder wall 88. Athreaded bore 112 is created in a retainer second portion 114 which canhave a smaller diameter than the retainer first portion 110. Thethreaded bore 112 allows for a threaded tool (not shown) to be used toremove the impeller retainer 52 and thereby to remove the impeller 50for service.

Referring to FIG. 6 and again to FIG. 5, the semicircular dischargechannel 100 extends from a tapered minimum area channel end 116, in asemicircular path, to a maximum area channel end 118, positionedproximate to the discharge opening 98. All of the water enteringsemicircular discharge channel 100 is thereby discharged out throughdischarge opening 98.

Referring to FIG. 7 and again to FIG. 5, the semicircular supply channel107, created in the retainer face 108 of impeller retainer 52, begins ata tapered minimum area channel end 120 and extends in a semicircularpath to a maximum area channel end 122 positioned proximate to an inletbore 124 extending axially through the retainer first portion 110 ofimpeller retainer 52. All water entering inlet bore 124 therefore passesthrough the semicircular supply channel 107 to be drawn through theimpeller vanes 109 of impeller 50 and discharged into the semicirculardischarge channel 100.

Referring to FIG. 8 and again to FIGS. 1-3, the sampling pump assembly10 forms a portion of a groundwater sampling pump system 126. Thegroundwater sampling pump system 126 further includes a reel assembly125 having an A-shaped frame 128 that can be made, for example, frommetal tubing. The A-shaped frame 128 includes each of a first arm 130and an oppositely positioned second arm 132 supported therebetween by ahandle portion 134. The handle portion 134 is provided to allow manualcarrying of the groundwater sample pump system 126. A first leg 136extends at a substantially transverse orientation with respect to adistal end of first arm 130. A second leg 138 similarly extends from thesecond arm 132. The first and second legs 136, 138 allow the groundwatersampling pump system 126 to be either supported from a ground surface orfrom a well pipe which will be better described in reference to FIG. 9.A bracket 140 is fixed between each of the first and second arms 130,132 and rotatably supports a reel 142 on the A-shaped frame 128. Anelectrical cable assembly 144 is wound onto reel 142 and is electricallyconnected to the sampling pump assembly 10. A control panel 146supported at a central portion of the reel 142 provides local operatorcontrol and operation of groundwater sampling pump system 126, as willbe better described in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. A hollow tube 148 isfixed to each of the first and second arms 130, 132 proximate to ajuncture with the first and second legs 136, 138. The hollow tube 148also acts as a storage tube where the sampling pump assembly 10 can beinternally stored when not in use. The sampling pump assembly 10 isretained within the storage or hollow tube 148 using a releasable pin150 installed or withdrawn using a pin loop 152 connected to thereleasable pin 150.

A U-shaped brace 154 is connected to a post 156 which is fixed to thestorage or hollow tube 148. The U-shaped brace 154 assists with mountingthe groundwater sampling pump system 126 to a well pipe, which is shownand better described in reference to FIG. 9. In addition to the cableassembly 144 connected to the sampling pump assembly 10, a rigid supportrod 158, having an eyelet 160, can be releasably fixed to the pump topend member 72 of sampling pump assembly 10. A lift cable 162, such as abraided steel wire, can be connected to the eyelet 160 and extended intothe well along with sampling pump assembly 10 if it is desired to useadditional lift capability for removal of sampling pump assembly 10 fromthe well.

Referring to FIG. 9 and again to FIGS. 3 and 8, the groundwater samplingpump system 126 can be temporarily attached to a well 164 normallyconfigured as a well pipe partially extending above a ground level 166and predominantly extending below the ground level 166. The samplingpump assembly 10 is inserted downwardly into an interior bore 168 of thewell 164 to draw water samples from the well 164 by unreeling the cableassembly from reel 142. The U-shaped brace 154 is positioned within theinterior bore 168 of well 164 and makes direct contact with a well innerwall surface 170, while the second leg 138 is positioned in directcontact with a well upper surface 172, and the first leg 136 ispositioned in direct contact with a well outer wall surface 174 of well164. This configuration of groundwater sample pump system 126 positionsthe post 156 proximate to an opening of well 164. In addition tosupporting the U-shaped brace 154, the post 156 provides a bearingsurface for sliding motion of cable assembly 144 as the sampling pumpassembly 10 is inserted and/or withdrawn into or out of the well 164.Prior to insertion of the sampling pump assembly 10, an effluent tube176, such as a clear plastic tube, is connected to the tubing connector32 of sampling pump assembly 10. During insertion of the sampling pumpassembly 10, both the cable assembly 144 and the effluent tube 176 arelowered at approximately the same rate to prevent bends from forming ineither of these items within the well. If the lift cable 162 is alsoused, the lift cable 162, the cable assembly 144 and the effluent tube176 are all lowered at approximately the same rate to prevent bends fromforming in any of these items within the well.

As the sampling pump assembly 10 is readied to be lowered into the well,a first switch 178 c, located on the control panel 146 is switched froman “off” to an “on” position. An internal battery provided (component210 discussed in connection with FIG. 13) on the reel 142 providessufficient electrical power for operation of the sensor 34 as thesampling pump assembly 10 is lowered. An LED 180, also present on thecontrol panel 146, flashes continuously as the sampling pump assembly 10is lowered into the well and prior to sensor 34 contacting a watervolume 182 within the well. The water volume 182 is normally locatedabove a well lower end 184 in a normal condition of well 164 such thatthe water inlet ports 16 are positioned above the well bottom. As thesampling pump assembly 10 enters the water volume 182 and extends belowa water level surface 186, water contacts the sensor 34, which createsan electrical signal indicating that the entire sampling pump assembly10 is positioned below the water level surface 186. At this time, theLED 180 changes from a continuous flashing condition to a continuousenergized “on” condition. The “on” condition of LED 180 visuallyindicates to the operator that the sampling pump assembly 10 is fullysubmerged within the water volume 182.

After the LED 180 changes to the continuous “on” condition, the operatorcan manually withdraw the sampling pump assembly 10 upward until the LED180 changes back to the continuous flashing operation, at which time theoperator can visually use a plurality of distance marks 188 whichprovide a depth indicated in 1 foot incremental positions along theouter casing of the electrical cable assembly 144 upward from zero atthe sampling pump assembly 10. The distance marks 188 provide ameasurable depth in feet of the position of sampling pump assembly 10within well 164 for recordation and pump operational purposes. Theoperator then re-lowers the sampling pump assembly 10 back into the well164 until the LED 180 changes again to the continuous “on” condition. Atthis time, the operator changes the position of first switch 178 back tothe “off” position and connects an external source of 12 VDC electricalpower to the reel 142. After the external source of electrical power isconnected, the operator switches a second switch 190 from an “off” to an“on” position, which starts operation of the DC motor 56 provided withinsampling pump assembly 10. After the DC motor 56 continues in operationfor a period of time, a water flow exits from the effluent tube 176.Stagnant water is then pumped out from the well for some period of timeuntil fresh water is drawn into the well 164. After an additional periodof time to purge the remaining stagnant water from the effluent tube176, a fresh water sample is then collected in a sample container 192.

After the first switch 178 is returned to its “off” position, theoperator connects external power to the reel 142 by manually making aplug-in connection between a power coupling 194 and an electricalconnector 196 provided on control panel 146. Power coupling 194 isconnected via a power cable 198 to a 12 VDC power source 200, such as a12-volt DC battery of an automotive vehicle. Hand operated clamps (notshown), such as commonly provided with automotive jumper cable sets, mayalso be connected at ends of the power cable 198 to facilitatereleasable connection of the groundwater sample pump system 126 to thepower source 200. During pump operation the sensor is powered by the12-volt DC battery. The sensor 34 provides an additional on-off featuresuch that the DC motor 56 is automatically de-energized when the sensor34 detects that the sampling pump assembly 10 is above the water levelsurface 186 of the well water volume 182.

Referring to FIG. 10 and again to FIG. 9, the components provided oncontrol panel 146 include: (1) the first switch 178, which can be atoggle “on/off” switch or any type of single pole switch; (2) the secondswitch 190, which can also be a toggle “on/off” switch or any type ofsingle pole switch; (3) the LED 180, which according to several aspectscan provide a green-colored indication light; and (4) the connector 196,to which the operator connects the power coupling 194. Also providedwith the control panel 146 is a pump speed selector 202 which accordingto several aspects is an axially rotatable potentiometer which isrotated by the operator to control an operating speed of the DC motor 56between a zero operating speed and a maximum operating speed. A maximumspeed, and therefore maximum pumping rate, of DC motor 56 is dependenton the depth that the sampling pump assembly 10 is positioned withinwell 164 and therefore is based on a height “C” (shown in reference toFIG. 9) that the total column or height of lift is required of the DCmotor 56. During operation of groundwater sample pump system 126, theoperator can rotate the pump speed selector 202 to its maximum rotated“on” position, allowing maximum flow rate to discharge from effluenttube 176 for a period of time determined by the operator. After thisperiod of operation, the operator can then rotate the pump speedselector 202 counterclockwise to select a slow rate of discharge flowfrom effluent tube 176 which suits a desired fill rate of the samplecontainer 192.

Referring to FIG. 11 and again to FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, a standard 12 VDCbattery such as the battery of an automotive vehicle can provideoperative electrical power for operation of brushless DC motor 56. Powerconsumption for DC motor 56 ranges between approximately 50 to 150watts, at a current of 1 to 8 Amperes. In comparison, as noted hereinthe power consumption of known centrifugal pump groundwater samplingpump systems can range from 20 up to 40 Amperes, and commonly require ahigh current AC power source with conversion to DC power, thereforepower consumption of the groundwater sample pump system 126 is reducedby up to approximately 80% compared to known systems. Based on use of a12 VDC power source 200, graph 1 of FIG. 11 identifies a range of flowrates for groundwater sample pump system 126 of approximately 1.25 gpmat the well surface or ground level 166 reducing to a flow rate of zeroat approximately 145 to 150 feet maximum well depth “C”.

According to further aspects, a voltage booster (shown and described inreference to FIG. 12) can be provided, which boosts the 12 VDC voltageup to 18 VDC. Using the voltage booster, the range of flow rates forgroundwater sample pump system 126 shown as graph 2 of FIG. 11 can beincreased from approximately 1.6 gpm at the well surface or ground level166 and reducing to a flow rate of approximately 0.7 gpm at 150 feetwell depth “C”. It is anticipated that using the voltage booster canprovide a maximum pump operating depth of approximately 180 feet whilestill using the same 12 VDC power source 200.

Referring to FIG. 12, a circuit diagram provides components and datainput and output ports for operation of groundwater sample pump system126. Electronic Speed Control (ESC) for the DC pump is provided at ESC202 which is connected to a first microcontroller 204. An output of thesensor 34 is also connected to first microcontroller 204, which is alsoprovided with a programming port 206 to enter system operating variablesand control set points. A power input and regulator section 208 isprovided to control power to operate the brushless DC motor 56, whichcan include a voltage booster increasing the voltage output from 12 VDCto approximately 18 VDC for increasing an operating depth of thesampling pump assembly 10. The microcontroller 204 can also be used toform an hour meter to track the total time that the DC motor 56operates. The total time may be displayed to the user by controlling ablinking action (i.e., on/off action) of the LED 180. For example, theLED 180 may be blinked once when the assembly 10 is first powered on ifthe total run time is between 0-100 hours. The LED 180 may be blinkedtwice if the total run time is between 100-200 hours, three times if thetotal run time is between 200-300 hours, etc. The blinking action may berepeated, for example three times, with a short off interval betweeneach on/off sequence. After that the LED 180 may be used in connectionwith its water sensing operation to indicate when the pump outer housing12 is submerged in water.

Referring to FIG. 13 and again to FIG. 9, remote operation andcollection of data for groundwater sample pump system 126 can also beprovided. A small capacity second battery 210, such as a 9-volt battery,is located on the reel 142 and provides operating power for LED 180 andsensor 34 during initial installation of the sampling pump assembly 10into the well 164, as well as powering microcontroller 204 and a secondmicrocontroller 212 when the main 12 VDC power source is not connected.Second battery 210 provides sufficient power to test operation ofbrushless DC motor 56 prior to insertion into the well. Second battery210 is connected to the second microcontroller 212, which in turn is incommunication with and regulates operation of both the LED 180 and thepump speed selector 202. A wireless frequency transceiver, for example aBluetooth® protocol wireless transceiver 214, can also be optionallyused which communicates with the second microcontroller 212 via acommunication path 216. The Bluetooth® protocol transceiver 214 providesfor remote wireless communication between the groundwater sampling pumpsystem 126 and a portable electronic device 218, such as a smart phone,via a wireless signal path 220. The portable electronic device 218 canalso communicate data between the sampling pump system 126 and one ormore cloud-based subsystems 222 using a wireless transmission path 224.

In addition to the small second battery 210 that provides temporarypower for operation of the LED 180 and sensor 34, an additional largercapacity rechargeable battery 226 can also be provided with reel 142.Battery 226 is sized to provide limited operating time for DC motor 56to provide sample flow from well 164 when the power source 200 is notavailable. Battery 226 may be releasably mounted via any suitablemounting bracket or fixture (not shown) to the A-shaped frame 128 forconvenience.

The groundwater sampling pump system 126 can be controlled, operated andhave data uploaded or downloaded using the portable electronic device218, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or virtually any other formof personal electronic device. This allows motor speed control, waterlevel status indication, time of operation of the motor 56, batterystate, troubleshooting, historical data such as past motor operating runtimes and speed settings and other data to be collected and remotelyaccessed for individual wells. The operator can therefore access otherwell site data in addition to previous data from well 164 to determinepotential settings for operation of groundwater sample pump system 126at the specific well such as well 164.

The groundwater sampling pump system 126 offers several advantages.These include: (1) the provision of a pump system having a 12-voltbrushless DC motor with circuitry provided in the pump assembly housingand with communication lines for control of the system grouped togetherwith power cables extending from the circuitry of the pump assemblyhousing to a reel positioned at a ground level position, such that theDC motor operating speed and current are reduced from known sample pumpsystems thereby improving operating efficiency; (2) the use of aregenerative impeller with the 12-volt brushless DC motor permits theoperating speed of the DC motor to be reduced from approximately 12,000to 15,000 rpm of known sample pump systems having centrifugal impellersdown to approximately 8,000 rpm, which significantly reduces cavitationat the impeller, improving pump assembly and impeller life and reducingimpact on water samples withdrawn from the well; (3) the reel used toretain the pump assembly power and control cabling includes a built-incontroller providing local control of the pump assembly; (4) a watersensor is provided with the pump assembly that is remotely connected toan LED on a panel of the reel providing visual indication when the pumpis submerged in the well water volume; (5) a local battery, such as a9-volt battery, is also provided with the reel that provides power forthe sensor prior to connection of a main 12-volt power system to thepump assembly 10; (6) a signal from the sensor provides an additionalon-off feature such that the pump is automatically de-energized when thesensor indicates the pump assembly is above the surface of the wellwater volume; (7) bayonet pins engaged in L-shaped slots of the pumpassembly housing provide a releasable assembly; (8) a separate batteryin addition to the 9-volt battery provided for LED operation can also beprovided in the reel to provide limited operation of the DC motor; and(9) the groundwater sampling pump system 126 can be controlled, operatedand have data uploaded or downloaded using remote devices such as aportable phone or tablet allowing motor speed control, water levelstatus indication, time of operation of the motor, battery state,troubleshooting, historical data such as past motor operating run timesand speed settings and other data to be collected and remotely accessedfor individual wells.

Referring to FIG. 14, a sampling pump assembly 300 can be seen inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The pumpassembly 300 is substantially identical in construction and operation tothe sampling pump assembly 10 discussed above, with the exceptions notedbelow. The sampling pump assembly 300 includes a housing 302 having acurving J-shaped 306 slot at a first end 304, and a similar curvingJ-shaped slot 310 in a housing connector 308 associated with a housinginlet end component 312. FIG. 15A illustrates the J-shaped slot 310 ingreater detail. Since the construction of the J-shaped slots 306 and 310are identical in this example, only the detailed construction ofJ-shaped slot 310 will be provided. Also, it will be appreciated that apair of J-shaped slots 306 spaced about 180 degrees apart from oneanother are included on the housing 302, and likewise a pair of theJ-shaped slots 310 are included on housing connector 308 and spacedapart about 180 degrees from one another, although only one of each ofthe J-shaped slots 306 and 310 is visible in FIG. 14.

J-shaped slot 310 includes a gradually curving section 314 and aslightly enlarged end portion 316. End portion 316 helps to define apoint 318 which provides a positive retention feature when bayonet pin320 (FIG. 15) is urged into the gradually curving section 314 of theJ-shaped slot 310 and then urged over point 318.

With further reference to FIGS. 15, 15A and 16, During travel into andthrough the curving portion 314, at least one interior gasket 322 (FIG.16) will begin to be compressed by a distal edge 324 of impeller chamber326 as the bayonet pin 320 reaches, and moves past, point 318. Point 318helps to effect a positive “snapping” or “clicking” action/feel as thebayonet pin 320 is urged over the point 318 into full engagement withinenlarged end portion 316. Creation of the snapping/clicking action isassisted by the slight compressibility of the internal gasket mentionedabove. A positive retention of the bayonet pin 320 and locking actionwithin the enlarged end portion 316 occurs because the enlarged endportion 316 defines a distance D1 which slightly less than a DistanceD2. As the bayonet pin 320 is urged over the point 318 and fully engagesin the end portion 316, the user feels a definite snapping or clickingaction (i.e., tactile feedback), which indicates the bayonet pin isfully seated in the enlarged end portion 316. At this stage, point 318helps to prevent the bayonet pin 320 from being urged back into thecurving portion 314 without some definite counter rotational forceapplied by the user. This retention, and an excellent fluid tight sealbetween components 302 and 312 is thus accomplished without the need forany separate sleeves or locking rings, as otherwise required with somepreviously developed bayonet locking designs.

FIG. 17 illustrates an easily accessible and replaceable annular motorshaft seal 350 integrated into the pump assembly 300. In this examplethe motor shaft 57 can be seen engaged with the connecting member 54.Surrounding the connecting member 54 is an annular seal 350. The seal350 may be preferably be a PTFE FlexiSeal® sealing element commerciallyavailable from the Parker Hannifin Corporation, or any suitableequivalent form of seal. Surrounding the seal 350 may be a sealingretainer 352 having a body portion 354 and a pair of O-rings 356 and 358seated in upper and lower annular recesses 360 and 362 respectively.Both the seal 350 and the sealing retainer 352 rest on a precisiondimensioned spacer 364, which in turn rests on an end face 366 of themotor shaft 57. It will be noted that that outer diameter of the spacer364 is just slightly greater, for example by about 0.015 inch, than theouter diameter of the body portion 354, but preferably about 0.005 inchsmaller than the internal diameter of a recess 363 of a removablebearing retainer component 368. This tight tolerance allows the seal 350to sit centered to the connecting member 54 throughout the entireassembly shown in FIG. 17 without being moved off center.

The removable bearing retainer component 368 has a pair of bores 370which receive a pair of threaded fasteners 372. Threaded fasteners 372engage within threaded blind holes in the end face 366 of the motorshaft 57. Threaded fasteners 372 enable the bearing retainer component368 to be quickly and easily removed in the field by an individual usingonly a conventional hand tool such as an Allen wrench, screwdriver, etc.Disassembly and reassembly can be performed in the field without complexprocedures. When disassembled, the PTFE FlexiSeal® sealing element 350and/or the sealing retainer 352 can thus be easily replaced without theneed for special tools. The concentric arrangement of the sealingretainer 352 with the PTFE FlexiSeal® sealing element 350 furtherenables the sealing retainer 352 to be essentially perfectlyconcentrically aligned with sealing element 350 and the motor shaft 57,which further helps to ensure a watertight seal between the bearingretainer component 368 and the motor shaft 57. Referring to FIGS. 18-20,various views of an impeller retainer 380 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure may be seen. FIGS. 21-24 illustratevarious views of another embodiment of an impeller housing 382 that maybe used with the impeller retainer 380. Impeller retainer 380 forms apump inlet with a ramped surface 384 (FIG. 20) that helps even moreefficiently direct incoming flow into a volute portion 386 (FIG. 18). InFIGS. 18 and 20, volute portions 384 a and 386 a communicate with eachother. Similarly, in FIGS. 21-23, the impeller housing 382 includes aramped portion 388 that even more efficiently helps to direct the flowout from volute portion 390. In FIGS. 21 and 23, the flow enters thevolute portion 390 at point 390 a and leaves at portion 390 b of thevolute portion 390. As the flow leaves portion 390 b it enters theramped portion 388 in FIG. 21. Accordingly, the ramped portions 384 and388 enable even more efficiently directing flow into and out from thevolute formed by volute portions 386 and 390.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sampling pump configured for use in a wellborefor pumping liquid collecting in the wellbore, the sampling pumpcomprising: a pump component including: a motor; an outer housingconfigured to be inserted into the well bore; the outer housing havingan inlet and an outlet; a fluid sensor configured to detect when theinlet of the outer housing is positioned in the liquid in the wellbore;a flexible electrical cable assembly for supplying power to the motorand the fluid sensor, and also for communicating with the motor and thefluid sensor; a user control panel in communication with the flexibleelectrical cable and configured to enable a user to control on and offoperation of the DC motor from the control panel; and the user controlpanel further including a component responsive to signals from the fluidsensor to indicate when the inlet is at least partially submerged in theliquid within the wellbore, as the pump is lowered into the wellbore. 2.The sampling pump of claim 1, wherein the component provides: a firstindication when the inlet of the outer housing the pump component ispositioned in air; and a second indication when the inlet of the outerhousing of the pump component is submerged in the liquid in thewellbore.
 3. The sampling pump of claim 1, wherein the first and secondindications comprise visual indications.
 4. The sampling pump of claim1, wherein at least one of the first and second visual indicationscomprises a blinking visual indication, and the other one of the firstand second visual indications comprises a continuous visual indication.5. The sampling pump of claim 3, wherein the component comprises anoptical component, and wherein the optical component is configured toflash intermittently before contacting fluid, and then to remain in acontinuously illuminated state while the inlet of the outer housing ofthe pump component is submerged in the liquid.
 6. The sampling pump ofclaim 4, wherein the component comprises an LED.
 7. The sampling pump ofclaim 1, further comprising a frame for supporting the electrical cableassembly.
 8. The sampling pump of claim 7, further comprising a reelmounted for rotation on the frame, the reel enabling the electricalcable assembly to be unwound therefrom as the pump component is lowereddown into the wellbore, and wound thereon as the pump component iswithdrawn from the wellbore.
 9. The sampling pump of claim 1, whereinthe control panel further includes a connector for connecting anexternal DC power source to the control panel to power the pumpcomponent and the fluid sensor.
 10. The sampling pump of claim 1,wherein the flexible electrical cable assembly includes markings thereonto indicate a length unit of measurement.
 11. The sampling pump of claim1, wherein the motor comprises a brushless DC motor.
 12. The samplingpump of claim 1, further comprising: a DC battery carried on the frameand electrically coupled to the fluid sensor for powering the fluidsensor; and a first switch associated with the control panel for turningon and off DC power to the fluid sensor.
 13. The sampling pump of claim1, further comprising a second switch on the control panel for enablinga user to power on and off the motor.
 14. The sampling pump of claim 1,wherein the indicator comprises an optical device that provides anoptical signal to indicate to a user when the fluid sensor has beensubmerged in fluid.
 15. The sampling pump of claim 14, wherein theoptical device flashes intermittently before contacting fluid, and thenremains in a continuously illuminated state while submerged in fluid.16. A sampling pump configured for use in a wellbore for pumping liquidcollecting in the wellbore, the sampling pump comprising: a frame; apump component including: a motor; an outer housing configured to beinserted into the well bore; the outer housing having an inlet and anoutlet; a fluid sensor configured to detect when the outer housing ispositioned in fluid in the wellbore; a flexible electrical cableassembly coupled at one end to the pump component for supplying power tothe motor and the fluid sensor of the pump component, and also forcommunicating with the motor and the fluid sensor, the flexibleelectrical cable and the pump component; a reel supported from the framefor rotational movement; the reel operable to support the flexibleelectrical cable assembly thereon; a user control panel in communicationwith the flexible electrical cable and configured to enable a user tocontrol on and off operation of the DC motor from the user controlpanel; and the user control panel further including: a componentresponsive to signals from the fluid sensor to indicate when the pump isat least partially submerged in the liquid within the wellbore, as thepump is lowered into the wellbore; and a speed control component forcontrolling a speed of the motor, and thus a liquid flow rate producedby the pump component.
 17. The sampling pump of claim 16, wherein theuser control panel is centrally mounted on the reel.
 18. The samplingpump of claim 16, wherein the frame includes a structure for receivingthe pump component and storing the pump component when the pumpcomponent is not in use.
 19. A sampling pump configured for use in awellbore for pumping liquid collecting in the wellbore, the samplingpump comprising: a frame; a pump component including: a motor; an outerhousing configured to be inserted into the well bore; the outer housinghaving an inlet and an outlet; a fluid sensor configured to detect whenthe outer housing is positioned in fluid in the wellbore; a flexibleelectrical cable assembly coupled at one end to the pump component forsupplying power to the motor and the fluid sensor of the pump component,and also for communicating with the motor and the fluid sensor, theflexible electrical cable and the pump component; a reel supported fromthe frame for rotational movement; the reel operable to support theflexible electrical cable assembly thereon; a user control panel incommunication with the flexible electrical cable and configured toenable a user to control on and off operation of the DC motor from theuser control panel, the user control panel being centrally locatedwithin the reel; and the user control panel further including: acomponent responsive to signals from the fluid sensor to provide a firstvisual indication when the lower end of the housing of the pumpcomponent is located in air within the wellbore, and a second visualindication when the lower end of the housing becomes at least partiallysubmerged in the liquid within the wellbore during lowering of the pumpcomponent into the wellbore; a speed control component for controlling aspeed of the motor, and thus a liquid flow rate produced by the pumpcomponent; and the user control panel controlling the motor duringoperation of the sampling pump so that the motor is automatically turnedoff when the fluid sensor detects that it is no longer submerged influid.
 20. The sampling pump of claim 19, wherein: the control panelincludes a microcontroller for controlling operation of the motor; thecontrol panel is configured to log a total run time that the pumpcomponent is running and to display the total run time to a user; andthe control panel includes a short range wireless transceiver forenabling the control panel to communicate wirelessly with a remotepersonal electronic device of a user.